32-year-old defenseman Andrew Alberts spent half of the 2013 campaign listed as a healthy scratch, but that doesn’t mean he’s looking for a different opportunity now that his two year, $2.45 million contract has expired.

The unrestricted free agent is interested in re-signing with the Vancouver Canucks. That’s likely due in part to the belief that Alberts’ physical, shot blocking brand of hockey will appeal to new bench boss John Tortorella.

“There remains interest by a couple of teams and Andrew was hoping to come back to Vancouver,” Alberts’ agent, Kurt Overhardt told the Vancouver Province. “We especially think with the new coaching staff that he would fit in because he’s a big, strong warrior and knows his role.”

The two sides are expected to meet by early next week at the latest. The Vancouver Canucks have a touch over $5 million in cap space left and still need to re-sign restricted free agents Chris Tanev and Dale Weise.

Alberta is a depth d man at best.he needs a better first pass and breakout if he wants to help the Canucks.they drive offense from the defense.

davebabychreturns - Jul 17, 2013 at 10:08 AM

I’d take Alberts back, although he may have to look at a slight pay cut depending on how things work out (just the way things go old chap, falling cap and all, journeymen feel the squeeze first and all that).

He’s obviously got limited mobility and little or no offensive game but he brings size and meanness that the rest of the blueliners lack and he’s looked pretty good in limited duty the last couple of years – he seems to be able to step into the lineup and keep things simple without showing much rust which is a great asset for a depth guy.

He’d be an every day player on some other teams and he’s a great fit on a team that has five other guys (six if Corrado makes it) that can all skate and move the puck so if he’s willing to stick around in a similar role it’s a no brainer.

I’d take him ten times out of ten over Keith Ballard at $4.2m, or Cam Barker at any salary.